St. Francis Catholic Mission of Toledo has had a fiery past. Three times the mission church building has burned. The first time in 1901. It's a twisted and complicated task to follow the church from its beginnings in 1839. But I think I've figured it out. Here goes.
From a Sept. 17, 1988, Daily Chronicle story, we learn, on the occasion of the mission's 150th anniversary, that: "St. Francis Mission located on Cowlitz Prairie north of Toledo close to the Cowlitz River was founded Dec. 16, 1838 by the Rev. Francis Norbert Blanchet (he later became the first archbishop or the Northwest) for the purpose of converting Indians in the area to Christianity and ministering to the spiritual needs of the Hudson's Bay traders and early settlers.
"Catholic French-Canadian pioneers first settled in the Cowlitz Prairie region in the early 1830s and desiring the ministry of Catholic ministers, they petitioned the bishop of Quebec, Canada, to send missionaries.
The request was finally granted and St. Francis Xavier Mission became the first Catholic mission established in what is now the state of Washington after the arrival of missionaries at Fort Vancouver. Protestant missionaries were already at work in the territory.
"The first Mass offered on Cowlitz Prairie was by Blanchet Dec. 16, 1838 in the home of Simon Plomondon. A log church was erected under the direction of the Rev. Modeste Demers who had come to the Northwest with Blanchet. Demers had also brought with him a 150 pound bell which was then erected on a 40 foot tower. He also planned the Mission Cemetery."
Now comes the exciting and sometimes confusing part. That log building was the first mission church in which Mass was regularly offered and the sacraments administered until 1879, when a new and larger church was constructed on the spot. The log building was then used as a residence. It's this second mission, built in 1879, that was destroyed by fire in 1901. All the old records from the beginning of the mission were lost and, tragically, a Father Van Holdebeke, who had been in charge for only two days, died from injuries during the fire. The church was rebuilt, only to be destroyed by fire again in 1916.
From "A History of St. Francis Xavier Mission Toledo, Washington 1838-1988," we learn how Holdebeke died: "In an attempt to save some of the records. Fr. Holdebeke quickly re-entered the burning church but was soon forced back outside by extensive burns and injuries he had sustained. Some local parishioners found him kneeling in the snow, his body badly blistered. They immediately transported him by sled to the nearest hospital, a journey which took over two hours, but shortly after his arrival, he died as a result of his injuries.
"During the fire, one of the parishioners had summoned the nearby community by ringing the church bell, but it was too late. Nothing could be saved. It was speculated that a candle had been mistakenly left burning, probably due to the fatigue of the new priest, caused by his recent travels."
The Daily Chronicle story reports, "In 1916 a second fire destroyed the Mission Church and Friary. Work began on a new building and upon completion was dedicated by Bishop O'Dea in 1917. In 1923, a parish hall was completed almost entirely by volunteer labor."
That church, too, was destined to a fiery demise.
In a "History of St. Francis Xavier Mission" we learn more on this fire.
"On August 16, 1916, a fire broke out in the rectory. For some reason the water supply had practically been depleted, and as a result of a lack of water, the flames soon spread into the church. Within a short time the wood frame church and rectory were once again completely destroyed.
"What a great sense of disappointment the priests and parishioners must have felt at that time. But faith in God prevailed, and by late Fall a new brick church was built on the same location."
But the fires weren't over.
"In 1932, on Ash Wednesday, the Mission Church was again destroyed by fire. The church building, the fifth one built, was rebuilt at the end of 1932 under the direction of Father Aegidious."
From "History of St. Francis Xavier Mission," we are given details on this fire.
"On Feb. 10, 1932, after the evening services on Ash Wednesday, a fire was discovered in the sacristy of St. Francis Mission church. Fire crews from Winlock, Toledo and Chehalis, and nearby residents rushed to the scene, but the fire overcame their efforts and the church was once again destroyed. The brick facade, or front of the of church, remained standing and the rectory received only smoke damage, but the rest was nothing but charred rubble.
"Once again, the parishioners came to the rescue and began the difficult task of cleaning up the mess in preparation of rebuilding. A contractor from Aberdeen was hired and within a few months, the brick church that we see today (in 1988 and today) began to take shape. If one looks closely at the brick exterior, evidence becomes clear of where the new brick was joined with what remained."
According to the Rev. Stephen Barnufsky, in 1988, "This is the building in use today, a constant reminder of the determination of the surrounding Catholic community to retain a solid communication with Jesus Christ and serve the needs of the area."
Pat Jones is The Chronicle's lifestyle editor. She may be reached by e-mail at pjones@chronline.com, or by telephoning 807-8226.
